Stadium retains upgrade funding

Esperance Indoor Sports Stadium was among the projects in regional Western Australia that retained their funding commitments, in the McGowan government’s 2017 budget.

A $4.1 million funding injection was confirmed when State Treasurer Ben Wyatt handed down his first budget.

Shire acting chief executive officer Mathew Walker said the stadium was an important piece of infrastructure and state funding was vital to commence the project.

“The Shire has retained funding for the Indoor Sports Stadium, a much needed asset for our sporting fraternity, in this year’s budget,” Mr Walker said.

“This project has been ongoing for many years and it is great to see the Goldfields Esperance Revitalisation Fund supporting the work undertaken so far. We will kick off planning as soon as the ink is dry.”

Shire president Victoria Brown said Esperance was lucky to retain that funding as other shires didn’t fare so well.

The $19.5 million Laverton hospital upgrade and Leonora’s proposed $9.2 million aged care facility are among the projects snubbed by this year’s budget.

“Devastated for those in our region who thought they had the funding for their projects prior to the election, but now haven't,” Ms Brown said.

“Our sports stadium had a strong business case and went through a rigorous process to ensure our application stood out as a clearly sustainable asset for our council to manage into the future,” she said.

“I am sure this put us in a good position for the [Royalties for Regions] project review by Labor. So happy for our community and all those people who have worked so hard on this for years and years.”

Other projects funded in the state budget included $10 million for the South Regional TAFE Esperance Campus and $900,000 for the Lucky Bay Campground Redevelopment Stage two, reduced from the $2.95 million Liberal government commitment.

The Shire of Esperance revealed additional information on future road, water and barrier fence funding for the region had not been released at this stage.

Treasurer Wyatt as the population grows continued invest was vital to meet the needs of the community.

"In the Goldfields alone, the McGowan Labor Government will spend $193 million on critical infrastructure over the next four years,” Mr Wyatt said.

"We have big plans for the Goldfields and the State Budget will ensure that these plans become a reality as we continue to deliver on our election commitments in coming years."